Fractography (FSI-WFR)

Academic year 2025/2026
Supervisor: doc. Ing. Libor Pantělejev, Ph.D.  
Supervising institute: ÚMVI all courses guaranted by this institute
Teaching language: Czech
Course type: departmental course
Aims of the course unit:

The course focuses on the explanation of the causes of machine-part failures, failure micromechanisms, methods of macrofractographic and microfractographic studies, classification and description of fracture appearance with the aim of making students familiar with the potentials of applying fractography to the solution of practical production problems, breakdowns and their causes, optimisation of materials selection, etc.
The knowledge of failure micromechanisms and methods of studying them. Understanding the relations between the properties of materials, the causes of their failures, and ways of preventing failures. The application of fractography as an important tool in solving production problems and breakdowns.
Learning outcomes and competences:
 
Prerequisites:
 
Course contents:

Failure causes and effects. Methods of fractographic analysis. Systematization of the concepts. Fracture micromechanisms. Cleavage and ductile fractures. Quasi-cleavage. Fatigue fractures. Creep fractures. Specific types of fracture. Examples of fractures occurring in operation, and procedures used in their examination.
Teaching methods and criteria:
 
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes:

Graded course-unit credit in the form of presenting an assigned or chosen problem before the group of fellow-students.
Compulsory attendance at exercises. Absence from exercises is dealt with by assigning a topic for a written presentation (usually selected papers from literature).
Controlled participation in lessons:
 
Type of course unit:
    Lecture  13 × 2 hrs. optionally                  
    Laboratory exercise  13 × 1 hrs. compulsory                  
Course curriculum:
    Lecture

1. Fracture causes and results.
2. Methods of fractographic analysis.
3. Methods of fractographic analysis.
4. Systematisation of fractographic concepts and failure micromechanisms.
5. Systematisation of fractographic concepts and failure micromechanisms.
6. Transcrystalline fractures.
7. Intercrystalline fractures.
8. Fatigue fractures.
9. Creep fractures.
10. Corrosion under stress.
11. Special cases of fractures.
12. Special cases of fractures.
13. Methodology for solving the causes of fractures during operation.
    Laboratory exercise

1. Preparation of fracture surfaces for examination by REM and TEM.
2. TEM - Analysing the replicas from preceding exercises.
3-4. Illustration of fracture surfaces on REM.
5. Writing a test on failure micromechanisms.
6. Examples of fractures occurring during operation, and their examination.
7. Course-unit credit.
Literature - fundamental:
1. Fractography, ASM Handbook, Vol. 12, ASM International, 1987, 517 s., ISBN: 978-0-87170-018-6
2. Failure Analysis and Prevention, ASM Handbook, Vol. 11, ASM International, 2002, 1050 s., ISBN: 0-87170-704-7
3. Fatigue and Fracture, ASM Handbook, Vol. 19, ASM International, 1996, 1057 s., ISBN: 0-87170-385-9
Literature - recommended:
1. Mechanical Testing and Evaluation, ASM Handbook, Vol. 8, ASM International, 2000, 998 s., 978-0-87170-389-7
2. Metallography and Microstructures, ASM Handbook, Vol. 9, ASM International, 1996, 1184 s., ISBN: 978-0-87170-706-2
3. Koutský J., Jandoš F., Karel V.: Fractures in steel parts (in Czech)
The study programmes with the given course:
Programme Study form Branch Spec. Final classification   Course-unit credits     Obligation     Level     Year     Semester  
C-AKR-P full-time study CZS -- GCr 3 Elective 1 1 W
N-MTI-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- GCr 3 Compulsory 2 2 W